March 8-9: Nature’s Nook Youth Reading Program

Event free for kids from pre-K through 7th grade and their families.

Mankato, Minn. – The Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks READ program is holding a nature-based event called “Nature’s Nook” from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on both Friday and Saturday (March 8 and 9) at Elk’s Nature Center at Rasmussen Woods (555 Stoltzman Road) for children from ages pre-kindergarten through 7th grade along with their families.

“Nature’s Nook,” a program free and open to the public, will feature story time, activities, games and a short lesson on topics such as recycling, trees and plants, water, pollution and Minnesota wildlife. Children should dress appropriately for weather conditions because hiking is an element of each session.

“‘Nature’s Nook’ is being designed to develop student leadership through literacy mentoring,” said Denise Billington-Just, assistant director of community engagement at Minnesota State Mankato. “Our main initiative is to make those connections between community and students.”
Mavericks READ is a service provided through the Community Engagement Office of Student Activities at Minnesota State Mankato. It seeks to promote literacy through stories and activities that explore the natural world while educating children about their environment.

For more information on “Nature’s Nook,” contact Koryssa Rosenquist and Gao Lee by email at community.engagement@mnsu.edu or by phone at 507-389-5789.
Minnesota State Mankato, a comprehensive university with 15,413 students, is part of the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system, which comprises 31 state institutions.